Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 27 2010:
In yet another recognition to the selfless sacrifice of the internationally renowned human rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila for her unwavering struggle to repeal the controversial Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act by undergoing a continuous fast unto death agitation for more than 10 years, an Assam based journalists' committee conferred its 12th Signature Sarva Gunah Sampannah Award � 'Award for peace and Harmony' to Irom Chanu Sharmila here on Monday.
Madhumita Saikia, Principal, Signature Training Center led a three member committee of the 12th Signature Sarva Gunah Sampannah Award Selection Committee and handed over the award which consists of ' 25,000 in cash, a shawl, a citation and a traditional Assamese japi(hat) to Sharmila at the premises of the security ward of the JN Hospital where she is currently being lodged and kept alive through nasal feeding.
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The other two members of the team are Hemanta Kumar Saikia, editor, Saparibar and Pronoy Bordoloi, executive editor DY365, a Guwahati based satellite TV channel.
Sharmila is undergoing a fast unto death agitation since November 4, 2000 demanding the Government to repeal the Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act, 1958 from Manipur.
Expressing her solidarity for the struggle of Sharmila, Madhumita Saikia said, "her extraordinary courage should be an example for others who want to bring peace to the trouble torn North East region" .
The Committee in a statement lauded Sharmila as an embodiment of the resilient human spirit extraordinaire, whose exemplary courage is unparalleled, whose sacrifice is selfless, whose conviction is unwavering and who epitomizes the 'Sarvah Gunah Sampannah', woman of substance, from North East India.
Coincidentally with the conferment of the award she was today produced before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal East on the charge of "attempt to commit suicide" under section 309 of IPC and was remanded to judicial custody till January 10, 2011 .
It may be recalled that Sharmila was awarded the Rabindranath Tagore Peace Prize-2010 by the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM) on September 11, 2010 .
The award consisted of ' 51 lakh rupees in cash, a shawl and a citation.